'Evreux's Hero': Ousmane Dembele Presents Ballon d'Or At Childhood Town
Évreux, France – In a heartwarming homecoming, Ousmane Dembélé, the newly crowned 2025 Ballon d'Or winner, presented his prestigious trophy to the residents of his childhood town, Évreux, on Sunday. The event was a double celebration for the Normandy town, bathed in an almost summery sunshine, and the glow of Dembélé's golden award.
An estimated crowd of 3,000 to 5,000 people gathered on the square in front of the town hall to welcome Dembélé, who has become an emblem for the city. Dressed in a stylish caramel jacket and dark trousers, the Paris Saint-Germain forward expressed his gratitude to the town. "You have been my strength in every difficult moment," he said to the crowd. "My childhood here was exceptional, I thank you all". The crowd, who had been chanting "Et Ousmane Ballon d'Or" for over an hour before his arrival, erupted in cheers. They also sang Vegedream's "Ramenez la coupe à la maison," a song dedicated to the 2018 World Cup champions, of which Dembélé was a member.
Dembélé's journey to the pinnacle of world football began in Évreux, where he played for ALM Évreux and Évreux FC between the ages of 12 and 13. Mayor Guy Lefrand presented Dembélé with the city's medal, recognizing his services and positive image of Évreux. "Did we imagine that the little boy who trained at the Mathieu-Bodmer stadium would win the Ballon d'Or? No one would have believed it," Lefrand stated. The tribute continued at the Mathieu Bodmer stadium, where nearly 3,000 fans cheered their hero.
Dembélé's Ballon d'Or victory is the culmination of a stellar 2024-25 season with Paris Saint-Germain. He contributed 33 goals and 15 assists in 49 appearances as PSG won a historic continental treble: the Ligue 1 title, the French Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. His outstanding performances earned him the Ligue 1 Player of the Year and UEFA Champions League Player of the Season awards.
"He represents a lot of hope," said Mohamed, a 21-year-old resident of La Madeleine, Dembélé's neighborhood. "It's motivating to see that we can reach the top, coming from Évreux, which is not a big, well-known city,". Many locals were moved by Dembélé's thank you to Évreux during his Ballon d'Or acceptance speech in Paris, noting that "he brought tears to our eyes".
Dembélé's career has seen him play for Rennes, Borussia Dortmund, and Barcelona before returning to France with PSG. He has won numerous titles, including the FIFA World Cup in 2018, multiple La Liga titles with Barcelona, and the German Cup with Borussia Dortmund. In 2023, he joined Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of €50.4 million.
Dembélé's return to Évreux with the Ballon d'Or is more than just a celebration of individual achievement; it's a moment of pride and inspiration for the entire community. As one fan noted, "We may not have another opportunity to celebrate this, it's 'our' Ousmane, he brought this victory for his city, for himself and for his friends".
